Sinkhole Closes Section Of Route 4 In Chelmsford

A 10-foot by 20-foot sinkhole opened up on Route 4 (Boston Road) in Chelmsford when a culvert collapsed during Saturday night’s heavy rain. Officials say it will keep the road closed between Hall Road and Brian Road until midweek when repairs are completed.

Linda Depaulis of Chelmsford was woken by her neighbor and told the stream flowing next to her house was about to overflow.

A clogged culvert flooded this yard in Chelmsford. (WBZ-TV)

“We were deciding if we wanted to leave or not because at one point they were concerned about the gas line breaking and we didn’t want to be here for that,” she said.

Capt. Hank Houle of the Chelmsford Fire Department said that there was concern that a telephone pole would fall and a gas line would break, creating a dangerous combination of sparks and gas.

“Now that the pole is stabilized, I’m happy,” he said.

While that section of Boston Road is closed, traffic headed south is being detoured down Warren Ave to Turnpike Road to Mill Rd and back to Boston Road.

High winds Saturday night caused a radio tower to collapse on Florida Mountain in North Adams, forcing the police department to switch to its former “low-band” system, the State Police said.
North Adams Police said the collapsed tower resulted in the loss or significant interruption of cell and internet services in the North Adams area. Police recommend using your home land line phone while the service is out.

North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright said Sunday night that emergency service for police, fire and EMTs was up and running and that crews were working to restore service by sometime Monday.

Collapsed cell tower in North Adams. (Photo courtesy of The Berkshire Eagle)

A police dispatcher said a portable tower and transmitters are being installed to provide crucial communications for the city of about 13,500 residents. North Adams Police said they will monitor the department Facebook page if anyone is unable to contact Public Safety by telephone. They said it’s unknown how long it will take to fix the problem.

State Police inspected the collapsed tower and found no indications of “intentional/criminal” activity.